The 2020 presidential campaign was in full swing, with Anthony Pratt firmly aligning himself with Donald Trump. Pratt, the chairman of a multinational paper and packaging company, as well as one of Australia’s wealthiest individuals, had already become a member of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. He had also spent a significant amount of money to celebrate the new year at the club alongside the president. With the hope of witnessing a Trump reelection celebration at Mar-a-Lago, Pratt expressed his willingness to once again contribute financially as Election Day approached.
In a message obtained by federal investigators and reviewed by The New York Times, Pratt stated, “If Potus is having his election party at mar Lago I’ll book as many rooms as available.” He outlined two reasons for doing so: “1) it will shore up the Florida electoral college, and 2) it will be good for business.” Pratt’s motives were clear: he saw this as an opportunity to strengthen his ties with Trump and reap the benefits for his own business ventures.
However, Trump spent the night of the election at the White House without Pratt’s company. Nevertheless, their relationship, which had developed over Trump’s chaotic four years in office, proved beneficial for both men and their respective businesses, according to new interviews and documents reviewed by The New York Times.
Their interactions were eventually entangled in one of the two federal criminal cases brought against Trump by special counsel Jack Smith. Pratt has been interviewed by prosecutors and is listed as a potential witness who could testify against Trump in the trial scheduled for next year. He provided an account of how Trump allegedly disclosed sensitive information about U.S. nuclear submarines, an episode that Trump denies. Another witness informed prosecutors about uncorroborated reports suggesting that Pratt paid $1 million for tickets to a Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve gala, significantly higher than their actual cost of $50,000 or less.
These newly revealed details shed light on the transactional nature of the Trump presidency and how Trump intertwined his personal business with his role as president, potentially jeopardizing national security, as alleged by prosecutors.
While Pratt was not the only individual seeking favors at Mar-a-Lago, the club became a centralized hub where favors, secrets, and opportunities to influence the president were treated as currency. Pratt, who not only rode in Trump’s motorcade but also attended a White House state dinner, excelled at playing this game.
Trump had very little connection with Pratt prior to the 2016 election. However, Pratt used his wealth and flattery to capture Trump’s attention after his victory. He publicly praised Trump, purchased newspaper ads highlighting Trump’s role as a job creator, and became a member of Mar-a-Lago. Trump, in turn, acknowledged Pratt’s support and visited his new factory in Ohio alongside Australia’s prime minister, providing Pratt with valuable publicity and close proximity to the President’s power. This proximity translated into policy changes that benefited Pratt’s business operations and reduced his taxes.
Behind closed doors, however, Pratt privately described Trump’s business practices as reminiscent of the mafia, according to covert recordings obtained by “60 Minutes Australia” and shared with The New York Times. While these recordings were made during Trump’s presidency, they offer a rare glimpse into how a businessperson involved in Trump’s transactions perceived his tactics, ranging from blunt acknowledgment to admiration for his willingness to push the boundaries of his role as president.
In the recordings, Pratt recounts how Trump shared sensitive information about his conversation with Iraq’s leader following a U.S. military strike against Iranian-backed forces. Pratt also mentioned Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian President, which ultimately led to Trump’s first impeachment. Trump apparently brushed off the significance of the call, claiming that it was nothing compared to his usual actions.
It’s unclear whether Pratt shared these accounts with prosecutors or if they are aware of the recordings. Additionally, Pratt revealed in the recordings that Trump asked his wife, Melania, to parade around Mar-a-Lago in her bikini to impress other male patrons.
In response to these revelations, a spokesperson for Trump criticized prosecutors and claimed that the information lacked proper context and relevant information. Trump himself defended his relationship with Pratt, highlighting Pratt’s membership at Mar-a-Lago and his contributions to American job creation.
Representatives for Pratt did not respond to requests for comment.
